DUTY

LAWYERS OWE HIGHER DUTY TO COURT THAN CLIENTS, SAYS OGUNLEYE

A former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Mr. Martin Ogunleye has warned lawyers not to shirk their duty to courts and the cause of justice.

Speaking at the recent monthly meeting of Eti-Osa Lawyers Forum (ELF), Ogunleye noted that “Though a lawyer owes a duty to client who hires him, he must always bear in mind that he owes a higher duty to a cause higher than that of his client, the cause of justice. A lawyer who distorts or massages the facts in the record may win his client’s case, but such apparent victory would amount to a betrayal of justice.”

He stated that a lawyer, while owing a duty to his client under and by virtue of the contract for service, “also owes a duty, albeit a higher one, to the court by virtue of being an officer of the court.”

According to the Bar Leader, “It should naturally be expected that where the lawyer owes duties to different parties (in this case, his client on the one hand and the court on the other), there are bound to be conflicts along the way.

“Some examples of conflicts that could arise are apparent from even the rules of professional conduct itself. Whilst Rule 14(1) enjoins a lawyer to devote his attention, energy and expertise to his client’s case, Rule 14(2)(e) directs that he must inform the client if his case is hopeless. Where the case is hopeless, does the lawyer just go ahead to abandon the case? If he does not, would he not be in breach of Rule 15(3)(b) which prohibits a lawyer from filing or delaying a case just to harass or injure another person or in breach of Rule 30 which forbids a lawyer from engaging in any act that may obstruct, delay or adversely affect the smooth administration of justice?”

He however concluded that “a lawyer is an officer of the court even whilst representing his client. He owes a duty to the court, and by extension, to the course of justice and this duty must never be shirked.”

The former NBA Lagos Branch helmsman had earlier commended the leadership of the Forum “for the laudable programmes” aimed at the professional development of its members, even as he hoped that the forum would attain full branch status soon, “having fulfilled all the requirements necessary to become a branch of the NBA, particularly having a Courthouse/judicial division and above 50 members.”

The Chairman of the forum, Mr. Adewale Sanni commended Ogunleye “for the incisive and insightful lecture” and urged him not to relent in promoting mentorship within the Bar.

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SHOCKER: LASTMA OFFICER FIGHTS ECONOMIC CRIME, DETAINS ‘YAHOO BOY’ (VIDEO)

There was palpable confusion as a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer, one G. Bakare barred a bus driver from riding with a passenger on the allegation that he is a ‘Yahoo boy.’ 

‘Yahoo boy’ is a euphemism for someone engaged in financial scams.

In several trending videos posted by the victim, Mr. Ibrahim Koletowo on his Twitter handle @Ibrokolet, he was seen vigorously protesting the action of the LASTMA operative who insisted that the bus driver must not proceed on his journey unless he dropped Koletowo.

His words: “This morning on my way to work, at berger iyana oworo a lasma officer (mr bakare), accused me of being a yahoo boy because I dressed the way I can, I entered the first bus he said he will arrest the driver if he take me to my destination, he did the same to the second driver.”

Interventions by another LASTMA officer and other passengers could not resolve the impasse, even as the officer threatened the driver saying: “I have what I will do for you.” The bus driver feared that he would be punished by the officer on subsequent trips, saying that was his regular route.

An apparently angry Koletowo was heard pouring invectives on the LASTMA officer and wondering whether arresting ‘Yahoo boys’ was part of the duties of LASTMA. He vowed that he would not be intimidated “in my community.”

The officer also directed the bus driver to “off that engine; carry another passenger,” as he lounged to remove the car key. He was heard telling the passenger that “Na Yahoo boy you be!”

While many commentators saw nothing wrong with the passenger’s dressing, some berated him for using abusive language on the LASTMA officer.

Said Yemmy Stunner @yemmystunner: “So lasma don dey catch yahoo boy ??? Very soon NURTW go start dey mount road blocks for Lagos oooh….”

On his part, Segun Johnson @seggiejohnson said: “OMG! God help Sanwoolu with his subjects. Everyone is hostile, aggressive and so have become timed-bomb. The LASTMA officer was wrong but Ibrahim’s reaction was even worse than Bakare’s. It’s a case of 2 live positive wires connecting each other. Dangerous society. Just passing.”

CITY LAWYER could not confirm at press time whether LASTMA has reacted to the incident.

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